Happenstances of a Ugandan woman in Washington D.C

"The largest book in the world"

Project not realized: This book would measure at 21 feet long and 12 and a half feet high. It’s a testament to the Kabakov’s long-standing interest in literature and storytelling.

As I studied Kabakov's unfinished project of art work in the Hirshhorn museum a guy dressed in some kind of security uniform came over.

Guy: "This book reminds me of judgement day when we'll stand before God and account for how we lived our lives."

Me: "Oh yeah! I totally see what you mean. Are you a Christian?"

Guy: "Yes I am, amen to that."(almost switches to tongues)

Me: "Oh great! I'm a Christian too."

Guy: "I'm looking for a wife to marry "

Me: "Wow!! You are quick."

We laughed 🤣🤣🤣

Guy: "The registrars office down the road is open till 5:00pm. There's no time to waste. We’ve got to cease the moment." 🤣🤣🤣

He returned to say "I talk to people everyday and they scowl, they may respond but you can feel the tightness in their stomachs (he made a grimaced face) but you smiled”.

Unsure of what to add, I said "thank you"

He walked away with a big smile.

We need more smiles in Washington D.C. to keep the human connection alive.

Dear Uganda - A poem

Dear Uganda
I think of you at 55
I may not be with you but
I see how you've grown and regressed
Taken two steps forward and two steps back
The runyegege, the bakusimba, the ding-ding

Are you my son? (Flash Back)

As Sam and I conversed, Mich eagerly awaited a chance to slot in a word. His dad was still in mid-sentence when out of frustration Mich said “But daddy, you don’t have to use all your words at once” He had our full attention. He is six years old.

How Stories Mushroom

As I crossed the street this morning something caught my attention.

A space craft? A little tree in a sea of green grass? A sombrero (Mexican hat) sprouting from the earth?

No!

A mushroom! Ebaale! Obutiko!

Scientific name - Amanita phalloides also known as the “death cap”. One cap has enough toxins to kill a human being. It is one of the deadliest mushrooms in the world.

Interesting how some things in life can be so alluring and yet so deadly.

But oh! The detail took my breath away.

That God would attend such detail to this stray fungus that just pops out of the ground when it rains? You Guys!!

How much more vested is He in you and me – creatures created in His likeness?

Now about how I captured this angle. Let’s just say the employees in the building across the street must have been like – “yup! She’s lost it for sure!”  Did I mention I was in a dress? Yeah!

And that is how stories mushroom in my little world.

When Breastfeeding is a Struggle

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for new mothers - an additional sore to an already exhausted body. During pregnancy, the mothers body prepares to deliver and feed the infant. While the birth of a healthy baby is celebrated the mothers, body can potentially take a while to get the memo of the child's arrival. It's a moment of reckoning when the baby is hungry and a cup of juice and a cookie will not suffice because guess what?! The little bundle doesn't have the stomach to handle refined foods. Only milk will do and preferably the mother’s milk. If the mother doesn't produce colostrum or the baby is unable to suckle, there's a mad dash for glucose and a syringe. But that is only a temporary solution because cute and wrinkly as that little bundle is, when hunger strikes and it will strike often - no amount of "shh" ing will settle it down. These are moments fathers sweat in helpless frustration. Mother has to learn to breastfeed and sometimes it's not as easy as it looks. The art has to be learnt.